To Tweet or Not to Tweet?

Posted by
Margaret Essary on
March 24, 2009

I will never forget my first big win while a green AE at Leo Burnett. I could hardly keep myself from jumping in the air to high-five my boss after our client approved what would become one of the first LB client websites. While on the way to the elevator, my wise mentor leaned in and said “Nicely done, do not breathe a word until we are in the rental car, doors locked – windows up!”

On the way to the airport she shared several horror stories – some likely exaggerated and others urban advertising myths – of new business wins that soured thanks to bravado on elevators and airplanes. Some things never change. But back then we only had to worry about ear shot; today the whole world is in e-shot.

By now, this e-shot heard round the world is likely old news. While many bloggers are taunting the seemingly innocent yet likely deal breaker post below as “foolish” and “crazy stupid”, I think we owe the poster a big THANK YOU for reminding us all of some common-sense lessons learned. The short-and-sweet Tweet simply reads:

theconnor: Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work.

Common Sense Lesson 1
Cisco Systems being a global technology company and all – may have a few Tweeters and maybe, just maybe, someone is following you. One of those Tweeters is now getting his nana-second of internet fame – Cisco employee, Tim Leved. His response:

timmylevad: Who is the hiring manager. I’m sure they would love to know that you will hate the work. We here at Cisco are versed in the web.

Common Sense Lesson 2
The poster wisely since turned on their private settings. Not sure the poster intended to be funny with the ironic image that appears – which is a conflict for me: see Common Sense Lesson 3A and Common Sense Lesson 3B.

Common Sense Lesson 3A
Apologize, Resolve, Move On

Common Sense Lesson 3B
Use humor to deflate the situation.

Common Sense Lesson 4
Don’t you have anything else better to do? In a mere two days this has gone from the Twitter community completely vilifying this person (riddle me this Bartman and crazy Cub fans) to a website entirely dedicated to this two sentence Tweet! The same can be said for the news media now picking this up.

Finally, of the tons of comments, blogs, Tweets out there, while I do not agree with all his points, Don Sears is on to something with smart advice for job seekers, human resource pros and recruiters like me. Take a look at his March 19th posting, Big Brother – How Not to Get a Job Via Twitter.